Category Buyer (Brand, Marketing, Communications & Talent), Senior Associate in Birmingham

At EY, we’re all in to shape your future with confidence. We’ll help you succeed in a globally connected powerhouse of diverse teams and take your career wherever you want it to go. Join EY and help to build a better working world.

The purpose of the global EY organization is to Build a better working world. The insights and services the organization provides help to drive long-term value for clients, people and society and to build trust in the capital markets.

An essential function under EY Business Enablement, Supply Chain Services (SCS) is a global team with more than 600 professionals in over 35 countries supporting the EY organization across the globe. This structure helps enable knowledge‑sharing across categories and regions, streamlining efforts in seeking innovative suppliers that can provide exceptional client service to maximize SCS’s value for the EY organization and the world’s supply chain.

A key component of SCS is Global Procurement, whose purpose is to drive more significant synergies and value creation from sourcing to contract lifecycle management, deliver exceptional client experiences and build more vital collaboration to manage Technology, Talent and Brand, Marketing and Communications (BMC) spend categories. We forge meaningful supplier relationships and strengthen supplier resilience to help EY maximize long‑term value for its people, clients and communities.

As a BMC and Talent Procurement Team member you will have the opportunity to work with a professional team of Procurement professionals in a global environment and work with colleagues on interesting source projects in the UK&I. Developing our people is key to deliver quality to our internal and external clients and is perfectly in line with our purpose of building a better working world. This role will be based in our EY office in either Birmingham or Manchester. Suitable candidates must be eligible and willing to work from one of these locations.

Your key responsibilities

• Support EY stakeholders as a trusted procurement partner, contributing to project delivery and customer service excellence while helping realize cost savings and contract value.
• Deliver sourcing projects for Tail Spend initiatives (typically $10K-$50K) across both Brand, Marketing and Communications (BMC) and Talent categories, ensuring timely execution and policy compliance.
• Collaborate with senior stakeholders and Global Procurement colleagues to align with category strategies that support EY’s global objectives.
• Build relationships with key business stakeholders and share category insights through regular updates.
• Promote and facilitate adherence to Procurement and Supply Chain Global Policy and processes across project teams.
• Assist with Requests for Proposals (RFPs), including commercial negotiations, and coordinate with Legal (GCO), Contract Management, and other business partners.
• Contribute to process improvements through the use of Purchase Orders and AI tools to enhance sourcing efficiency and compliance.

Skills and attributes for success

• Strong commercial acumen and understanding of procurement strategies across diverse portfolios.
• Proven ability to deliver sourcing projects and ensure compliance with procurement processes.
• Effective negotiation and influencing skills to support alignment with senior stakeholders.
• Solid knowledge of BMC categories and familiarity with Talent procurement.
• Ability to build trust and drive change through stakeholder engagement.
• Sound judgment, decision‑making, and organizational skills.
• Self‑motivated with a positive attitude and openness to learning and change.
• Experience in sourcing and procurement, ideally within BMC and Talent categories.
• Strong procurement and commercial skills to support category strategies.
• Ability to collaborate and influence stakeholders with a global mindset.
• Experience executing online Rfx and e‑Auctions.
• Advanced English proficiency and ability to lead conversations independently.

Ideally, you’ll also have

• A bachelor’s degree in Business or a related discipline.
• CPSM certification (preferred).
• 5+ years of procurement experience.
• Strong communication and presentation skills in business English.
• Experience working in global, culturally diverse environments.
• Ability to work collaboratively, virtually, and independently.

Candidates must be eligible and willing to be based in our EY offices located in either Birmingham or Manchester.

What we look for

A proactive and adaptable individual who embraces change and is committed to delivering strategic value in a dynamic global environment.

What we offer you

At EY, we’ll develop you with future‑focused skills and equip you with world‑class experiences. We’ll empower you in a flexible environment, and fuel you and your extraordinary talents in a diverse and inclusive culture of globally connected teams.

Learn more. Are you ready to shape your future with confidence? Apply today.

To help create an equitable and inclusive experience during the recruitment process, please inform us as soon as possible about any disability‑related adjustments or accommodations you may need.

EY | Building a better working world

EY is building a better working world by creating new value for clients, people, society and the planet, while building trust in capital markets. Enabled by data, AI and advanced technology, EY teams help clients shape the future with confidence and develop answers for the most pressing issues of today and tomorrow. EY teams work across a full spectrum of services in assurance, consulting, tax, strategy and transactions. Fueled by sector insights, a globally connected, multi‑disciplinary network and diverse ecosystem partners, EY teams can provide services in more than 150 countries and territories.